Big splash to start swimming season

Nearly 150 swimmers plunged into the waters off Governors Beach for the 32^nd Annual Foster’s Food Fair 800m Sea Swim on Saturday, 10 September.

For many, it was the first chance to compete against their peers after the summer break in competition, while others saw it as a chance to be part of a group or family activity. Added to the fun was the addition of a 400m swim for younger children who would not have been able to cope with the longer distance in the open water.

“It’s actually very promising,” said Michael Lockwood, president of the Cayman Islands Amateur Swimming Association (CIASA), of the turnout.

“We don’t usually get all the way up to nearly 150 people. We had 143 today overall. It’s good to see the community come out and I think that is partially to do with us putting in the 400-metre swim for the younger kids to encourage more participation.”

Crossing the finish line first was Stingray Swim Club’s John Bodden in 11 minutes. “I was trying to go for first and that’s what happened,” he told CaymanSportsBuzz.com as he returned to dry land.

“It’s a great encouragement boost but I think that I’m already ahead of what I would have been last year, so I think this year will be good,” said Bodden, who won an open water gold medal for the Cayman Islands at the last CARIFTA Swimming Championships in March.

Following him to the finish were Jonathan Key, Zachary Moore and Alexander McCallum. Ria Plunkett, a CARIFTA open water bronze medalist, swam in the Girls 13-14 age group and was the first-placed female finisher, coming home seventh overall.

“My performance was okay. I’ve done better in other sea swims but today was good considering where I am in the season,” Plunkett said, as she got her mind focused on the season ahead.

“My plans are to try and do my best and get as many PBs because last season, I did well but I want to do better so I can go further and go to CARIFTA and maybe make [the] Island Games [team].”

Lockwood, who finished 25^th overall, said events like the Foster’s Food Fair 800m Sea Swim are great not only for the competitive swimmers but for others as well.

“It’s good for community building and it helps people to understand the importance of not only swimming competitively but knowing how to swim as a life skill. It’s something that a person living on an island should know how to do and this is a great way for us to try and promote that,” he said.

The CIASA president was full of praise for the family-owned supermarket chain for supporting the event for more than three decades.

“We’re very happy to have that relationship with Foster’s continue for 32 years. This is our second longest-running swim other than the Pirates Week 5K, which is now in its 36^th year. We’re very happy that the Fosters have continued to work with us all these years,” he said.

The next open water swims on the CIASA calendar are the 28^th annual CUC 800m swim on 8 October and then the Pirates Week 5K sponsored by KPMG on 12 November.

 

 

Top finishers in all age divisions:

Boys 8 and under

1^st: Phin Ellison

2^nd: Luke Dodson

 

Girls 8 and under

1^st: Allie Capasso

2^nd: Abi Anderson

 

Boys 9-10:

1^st: Harry Bishop

2^nd: Nathan Suitor

 

Girls 9-10

1^st: Gabriella Royston

2^nd: McKenzie Pearson

3^rd: Kathryn Lambert-Wragg

 

Boys 11-12

1^st: Finn Bishop

2^nd: Corey Westerborg

3^rd: Stefano Bonati

 

Girls 11-12

1^st: Stephanie Royston

2^nd: Avery Lambert

3^rd: Jasmine Lambert-Wragg

 

Boys 13-14

1^st: Zachary Moore

2^nd: Jake Bailey

3^rd: Jordan Crooks

 

Girls 13-14

1^st: Ria Plunkett

2^nd: Elana Sinclair

3^rd: Audrey Weber

 

Boys 15-19

1^st: John Bodden

2^nd: Jonathan Key

3^rd: Liam Henry

 

Girls 15-19

1^st: Sarah Jackson

2^nd: Stephanie Boothe

3^rd: Sam Bailey

 

Men 20-29

1^st: Alexander McCallum

2^nd: Michael Lockwood

3^rd: Harrison Foster

 

Women 20-29

1^st: Jennifer Harding Marlin

2^nd: Myriam Plante

3^rd: Stacie Suberswan

 

Men 30-39

1^st: Stuart Bray

2^nd: Dave Bott

3^rd: Shane Donovan

 

Women 30-39

1^st: Andrea Higgo

2^nd: Veronique Poirier

3^rd: Sian Hawkes

 

Men 40-49

1^st: Adrien Royston

2^nd: Alex Harling

3^rd: Johann Prinsloo

 

Women 40-49

1^st: Lee-Ann Corin

2^nd: Donna Graham

3^rd: Monica Watler

 

Men 50-59

1^st: Kevin Drysdale

2^nd: Brian Balleine

3^rd: Shane Foster

 

Women 50-59

1^st: Joan Medland

2^nd: Jackie Hickey

 

Men 60 and over

1^st: Wayne Hannum

2^nd: Victor Thompson

3^rd: Frankie Flowers

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3 Comments

1. Pingback: First sea swim of season this Saturday – Cayman Sports Buzz

2. Pingback: Foster’s Food Fair Sea Swim this Saturday – Cayman Sports Buzz

3. Pingback: Bodden wins Foster’s Food Fair 800m – Cayman Sports Buzz

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